South End Steering Committee Meeting
Preserving History, Building Identity
The most recent South End Steering Committee meeting opened with an update on the Community Survey, which remains active through September 30. The survey is gathering resident input on two critical items: the district’s official name and its boundary map.
Lueella Shelton, historian and member of the Programming Committee, reported on outreach efforts to boost participation. She and Nakiva Washington Fitzpatrick have been out on the ground—walking Main Street, visiting businesses, and even catching crowds at football games and the H-E-B parking lot to share flyers and QR codes. Shelton noted that direct, face-to-face engagement has proven far more effective than email distribution, sparking thoughtful conversations and yielding meaningful survey responses.
Still, questions remain. Many newer residents, and even some elders, asked: “What is the South End? Why does it matter? Who does it represent?” Shelton emphasized the importance of these conversations, clarifying that the initiative is about preserving and protecting Black history, not excluding anyone. She used the analogy of Baylor University’s campus identity—defined by signage, murals, and flags—to explain how the South End could one day be similarly marked as a visible cultural district.
Feedback from the broader community has been largely positive. Even those initially unfamiliar with the South End expressed excitement once they understood the vision. After careful reflection, she stress that history must be preserved, protected, and told from multiple perspectives—especially through the voices of Black residents whose stories have too often been muted.
This opened a deeper conversation about the lens through which history is told. Shelton cautioned that if Black community members do not share their voices and stories, the history of the South End risks being written primarily through the perspectives of White partners—however well-intentioned. She emphasized that history is shaped by lived experience, and that the voices of descendants and elders are essential. Shelton further noted her concern that, despite the effort centering on Black history, there has been continued silence from much of the Black community. She urged them to step forward, reminding everyone that authentic preservation depends on their participation.
Committee members also discussed opportunities for artistic expression within the district with the Bastrop City Manager, Sylvia Carrillo and Council Member Perry Lowe. Ideas included murals, mosaics, sculptures, and signage to tell the story of Freedom Colonies and the South End. Carrillo noted two large TxDOT underpasses—one at College Street and one at Water Street—that offer blank canvases for public art. Suggestions included using the pillars to represent local colonies, creating reflective spaces with sculpture and gardens, and weaving oral histories into the art through QR codes.
Discussion then turned to the nonprofit structure needed to support future fundraising and grant opportunities. Options included creating a new nonprofit dedicated to the South End or working under the umbrella of an existing organization, such as the Bastrop County African American Cultural Center and Freedom Colonies Museum. While forming a standalone nonprofit will require a defined mission, vision, and governing board, committee members agreed that it is essential for transparency and long-term sustainability. Once the district’s official name is decided, this process can move forward without delay. To ensure momentum, Shelton Legacy Press has committed to covering the costs and handling the paperwork required to establish the nonprofit.
As the meeting closed, members affirmed their commitment to continued community outreach and education. Shelton announced she has created two Google forms—a Story Suggestion Form and a Pre-Interview Intake Form—to help identify oral history contributors and prepare for interviews. These will be released after the survey campaign concludes and a formal district name and map are adopted.
The committee agreed to reconvene on October 16 at 6:00 p.m. to finalize the mission and vision statements and prepare the nonprofit paperwork. The City Council will share survey results at its October 21st meeting.
The meeting ended with gratitude—for the volunteers handing out flyers, the community members asking hard questions, and the shared belief that the South End’s story deserves to be preserved and celebrated.
